Extreme Machine & Urethane

Is the CNC industry becoming a revolving door for talent? You spend months training someone. Investing in their growth. Believing you're building something together. Then they're gone - with little notice and even less regard. And honestly? It hurts. It stings. In smaller CNC shops, it's more than just business.....it's personal. Small shops can't out-pay the big ones, but we often out-care them. When someone leaves, it doesn’t just affect production. It shakes the culture. It makes you question your leadership, your wages, your purpose. So how do we stay competitive - and human - without compromising everything? But here's the kicker: CNC work isn’t slowing down. Parts still need to be cut. Deadlines don’t wait. So you pivot. And the search for solid, reliable machinists starts all over again. Let’s talk about the elephant in the shop: 🔺 The cost of living is skyrocketing. Groceries, rent, child care, gas—it’s all up. So when someone jumps ship for a few extra bucks, it’s not always about greed—it’s about survival. But as employers, we’re also squeezed. Material costs are rising. Margins are thin. The math doesn’t always work. So I’m asking the community: (PLEASE CHIME IN!!!) Is this just the nature of the trade now? How do YOU find dependable talent with a strong work ethic—without being held hostage by unrealistic demands? Is this generational? Or just economic? What do today’s machinists want from an employer? Are there traits you watch for in interviews, good or bad, that predict whether someone will stick around? Is profit sharing a viable solution? What else works to retain good people? How do YOU maintain culture when people come and go so quickly? Is the CNC industry doing enough to adapt to this changing reality? 💡 Some of the best machinists I’ve ever met have OCD (which I also have) and that attention to detail is priceless. But what motivates them? What keeps them loyal? 👉 CNC employers, shop owners, leads—this is YOUR discussion. What are the tools, mindsets, and incentives that actually keep good machinists around - not sure for the paycheck but for the mission? #CNC #Manufacturing #TalentRetention #ShopLife #SkilledTrades #Leadership #WorkEthic #SmallBusinessChallenges #CNCCommunity #HiringCNC